A Good Day for a Hat

January 23, 2017
The subcategory of hat-related children’s literature is extensive and august, but Fuller and Hodgson acquit themselves with style in this sweetly silly tale. Their hero, Mr. Brown, is a dapper bear who has “just the hat” for every occasion. Unfortunately, the ever-changing environment outside his home turns Mr. Brown into in a kind of millinery Sisyphus—he’s too busy changing his hats to get where he needs to go. He swaps his rain hat for a warmer one when it begins to snow, only to discover that a band is now marching by. He goes inside, returning with a marching band hat and trumpet, but now there are “magical rabbits loose on his lawn.” (In fact, the only constant besides Mr. Brown is a wand-wielding white rabbit tucked into each scene, raising the question of whether a bit of magic might be responsible for all of the chaos.) Fuller and Hodgson’s story has a naive, crafts-room look, the unstoppable momentum of a windup toy, and a punch line that’s just right (it’s Mr. Brown’s birthday, and there’s a hat for that, too). Hats off! Ages 3–5.

February 1, 2017
Although the world beyond his front door continually changes, this hat-loving bear has the hats ready to face it."Today is a good day for a hat." Mr. Brown is on his way to Miss Plum's house, and he's wearing the perfect hat for the occasion (a purple derby with a flower). Unfortunately, he wasn't expecting the rain. Mr. Brown dashes back inside and grabs a hat well suited for the rain...just as snow begins to fall! But this second change in scenery doesn't faze the amiable bear. "I have just the hat for that." Fuller establishes a pattern from the get-go, sending Mr. Brown out into scenarios that escalate in absurdity, from a "rootin' tootin' rodeo" to a ferocious dragon. The story thrives on this repetitive silliness with well-timed page turns, and the author wisely moves the story forward before it devolves into monotony. Hodgson's digital illustrations are colorful, zany, and suitably flat, with plump circles and sharp squares delineating a clean and clear-cut art style. Mr. Brown conveys a vague sense of cheery optimism through modest facial gestures, matching the story in a pleasant if nondescript way. Already late for Miss Plum's, Mr. Brown dons a heap of hats, which subsequently topples when all his friends surprise him for his birthday. What hat will he wear next? A predictable ending delivers a meager payoff. Mild hat-inspired silliness makes for mild fun. (Picture book. 3-5)

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May 1, 2017

PreS-K-Mr. Brown knows that today is a good day for a hat. And he would know, because he has one for every occasion-a wide-brimmed hat for rain, a cozy earflap hat for snow, even a chef's hat for the big Bear County Cook-off! But today, a mischievous rabbit is creating chaos with its magic wand. Each time Mr. Brown opens his front door, something has changed, causing the bear to go back inside to change his hat. Finally, Mr. Brown must leave his house or be late to meet mousy Miss Plum. So he stacks several hats on his head and arrives at Miss Plum's just in time for a surprise birthday party for him! Luckily, his friend has just the right hat for that! This bright and cheerful hat-filled book (don't miss the whimsical endpapers) is similar in tone and structure to Brian Won's Hooray for Hat! and Jory John's Goodnight, Already! The illustrations, created digitally with pencil, crayon, and ink, use a presentational perspective; kids will feel as though they are looking at a theater pantomime through a proscenium. Flat, geometric shapes create backgrounds, and loose-limbed characters stare directly at viewers. VERDICT Although the book fails to pull readers in emotionally and there's no explanation for the pesky rabbit, the repetitive structure, plot-driven narrative, and large, easy-to-read font make this a fun storytime title for toddlers or preschoolers.-Amy Seto Forrester, Denver Public Library

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